Want to get to know a major education innovator in Fort Wayne? A school system that excels in skilled trades, arts and sciences, and communication? A school system that offers project- and inquiry-based learning models to help develop new types of thinkers through the New Tech teaching model? That has the only high school in Northeast Indiana with the globally renowned International Baccalaureate program (and for over 20 years)? Who boasts its diversity with students from 6 continents and 70 home languages spoken? Ready to find out who is excelling at education in your back yard? It’s your 160 year old public school system, Fort Wayne Community Schools! Surprised? Read on to find out how you can learn more. There’s been a lot of talk about the state of public education recently – about quality, effectiveness, and choice. School choice is a buzzword now, but FWCS has been promoting choice for nearly 40 years. We all have a variety of ways to get information to help us make that choice – whether that be social media, a website, or just a chat with friends over coffee. But, really, what’s better than seeing for yourself? That’s why, annually Fort Wayne Community Schools invites local business and community leaders on their Seeing is Believing tour to see how FWCS is preparing students for their futures in businesses and organizations in Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. Seeing is Believing is a four-year partnership with Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., Excursions Trailways, and the Fort Wayne Area PTA. Why does Greater Fort Wayne want more community members to see what goes on in their public schools? Cheri Becker, Vice President of Investor Services, Programs & Marketing describes it this way, “The Seeing is Believing tour gives business and community leaders an opportunity to see what’s happening inside our schools and connect with educators and students. … GFW Inc.’s role is to be a connector. For the business community, understanding our school system is helpful when recruiting new talent to the area. Those families and individuals with children want to know that their children can succeed in the educational system before they decide to relocate. Likewise future business success depends on a well prepared workforce, Seeing is Believing allows the business community and the educational community to understand each other’s future needs and to work toward that successful end.” This year’s Seeing is Believing tour will be on Thursday, March 23rd. The tour promises to be very exciting with participants meeting with FWCS Superintendent Dr. Wendy Robinson and FWCS Board of Trustees President Julie Hollingsworth. Participants will also learn about schools and programs on student-lead tours of Wayne High...

Ahhh, Thanksgiving. That time of year where you haven’t completely transitioned into full-holiday-panic mode but you’re slowly beginning to realize that there is not enough time, money, or coffee to make it through to the end of the year. Well, you’re in luck! Instead of chopping, roasting, and baking this year, why not let someone else do the work and you can sit back, relax, and actually enjoy your Thanks- or Friends-giving? Listed below are some places around Fort Wayne that will make your day stress-free and delicious. So, if you want to avoid the hassle of cleaning the house, finding the good silverware, kenneling the dogs (because Aunt Nancy is allergic), and wrestling the board games out from the attic so the kids will stay out of your hair long enough to finish those pies, then there are several local restaurants that will be taking reservations for Thanksgiving Day. But don’t wait – they are filling up fast! Or, if you think your family or friends won’t go for a restaurant for their holiday celebration, then you could stay home and let someone else do the cooking by looking for the restaurants that have a take-out option. (Several have deadlines to order your holiday fare, so call ahead!) With all the extra free-time this Thanksgiving, you can focus on the important things like which wines to have on hand for your family and friends and where you hid the Cards Against Humanity that will be played much, much later in the evening. Bob Evans Phone: Coliseum Blvd. – 260.484.8848, Dupont Rd. – 260.490.6096, Meijer Dr. – 260.492.2035, Coventry Ln. – 260.436.2566 Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Locations: 520 E. Coliseum Blvd., 46805; 2935 E. Dupont Rd., 46825; 5135 Meijer Dr., 46835; 5785 Coventry Ln., 46804 Serving: Full menu Price: Menu priced Take-out option: Yes Cracker Barrel Phone: Washington Center Rd. – 260.489.1855, Maysville Rd. – 260.492.7500 Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Locations: 1609 W. Washington Center Rd., 46818; 10427 E. Maysville Rd., 46835 Serving: Full menu plus a special of roasted turkey and dressing and a choice of one of their country vegetable sides Price: Menu priced Take-out option: Yes, traditional Thanksgiving fare available 11/19-11/27 with 24 hours’ notice recommended Don Hall’s Guesthouse Grill Phone: 260.489.2524 Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: 1313 W. Washington Ctr. Rd., 46825 Serving: Buffet with ham, turkey, prime rib and other traditional fare Price: $22.99 for adults, $7.95 for children aged 3-10, and free for children under 3 Don Hall’s Triangle Park Phone: 260.482.4342 Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: 3010 Trier Rd., 46815...

Nick Ladig, a Northeast Indiana native, is the Vice President of Sales for Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery out of Indianapolis. Using his B.S. in Entrepreneurial Management from Ball State, he got his start in craft beer and now sells artisan spirits. He answered some questions about Hotel Tango, its connection to Northeast Indiana, and Fletcher the Cat. Full disclosure: Nick is the author’s (less cool, but way more interesting) brother. So, what’s the story behind Hotel Tango? Hotel Tango (military call letters for “H” and “T”) started with Travis (“T”) Barnes, who grew up in Noble County, north of Fort Wayne. After 9/11, he enlisted in the Marines and served 3 tours as a special forces Recon Marine in Iraq. Upon returning to civilian life, he met his wife Hillary (“H”), graduated from law school, and started distilling as a hobby. Fast forward to September 2014, and Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery opened in Indianapolis. The distillery products are named and branded with a military theme to pay homage to the founder’s military roots. I hear a tasting room might be opening in Ft. Wayne – confirm or deny? I can neither confirm nor deny. I will say that our Indy location has been wildly successful and we would love the opportunity to recreate this in new locations. Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana will always hold a special place in the hearts of Hotel Tango, since that’s where Travis spent his formative years. BUT, you can find our products now at assorted local restaurants and bars and most of the local liquor stores in and around the area. Ft. Wayne now has a distillery – Three Rivers Distillery. Are you guys competitors or friends? I would definitely say we are and will remain friends in the industry. The guys from TRD came down to Hotel Tango a while back to meet the founders. For craft spirits right now, it is very much a “rising tide lifts all ships” mentality. Why do you think that small batch distilleries are growing in popularity? I think it is because many Americans are trending towards local and authentic products. I equate it with when you get tomatoes from a neighbor’s garden – they just taste better because they’re as fresh as can be and you know where they came from. The story is cool, but how’s the product? It’s really [expletive] delicious. All kidding aside, it has been well received by bars, restaurants, and retailers in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. Our gin has become the top seller, creating the most buzz, but the vodka and ‘cellos are really...